Above Inflation Rises Hit Beleaguered Commuters
33% hikes make London officially World's most expensive transport capital
Above-inflation price rises for rail tickets have come under 
attack from commuters, rail groups and opposition politicians who claim that the hikes make London the world's most expensive transport capital.
Consumer body London TravelWatch expressed its disappointment at the New Year rises especially the huge rise in cash fares on the tubes and buses. On the tube, single cash fares in Zone 1 will rise by a third to £4, even if the journey is only one stop, and cash fares on the buses will also rise by 33% to £2.
“We are particularly concerned that this will especially hit infrequent visitors and tourists to London, who will not necessarily benefit from the cheaper prices available when using an Oystercard - which are still not easy to use or readily available in many places.” A London TravelWatch spokesperson said.
Overground rail fares are also rising above the rate of inflation, which is a particularly bitter pill for passengers in London, who are increasingly faced with crowded trains and crowded platforms.
Roger Evans, Transport Spokesman for the London Assembly Conservatives, blasted Mayor Ken Livingstone and Transport for London over their handling of the annual fare increases. "The Mayor and his vast army of press officers have managed to spin the fare increases remarkably well this year with many publications stating that Oyster fares would be frozen. The truth is that Pay as You Go Oyster fares have been increased and it's time that Londoners and commuters were kept informed with factually correct information.
"Some daily caps have increased by up to 9% and this will hit those on lower or fixed incomes hardest, the very people Ken apparently represents. It's time for the Mayor to tell the whole story, rather than the polished rose tinted view he is currently spewing forth to Londoners."
Research carried out by the London Liberal Democrats shows that London is now the most expensive public transport capital in the world. The research compared the cost of cash and Oyster card fares for a single Tube journey in zone 1&2, a day travel card and a zone 1&2 monthly travelcard with 7 other European capitals as well as New York, Moscow an Tokyo.
Commenting on the research, Transport Spokesman on the London Assembly, Geoff Pope, said "London is officially the world's most expensive public transport capital. Unfortunately, sky high tube fares do not mean value for money: Londoners are paying the price for overcrowded and unreliable journeys. Monthly fares for regular commuters are extortionate - well over twice New York, Paris or Rome. The Mayor can get away with it because he knows he has passengers over a barrel. Cash fares are also scandalous: short journeys are cheaper by black cab. But with the Tube being re-built over the next ten years we are bound to have cancellations and delays. It's time these disruptions were made up for with cheaper tube fares. Lowering fares before 7.30 AM would ease overcrowding in the morning rush and help early morning low-paid workers."
Lib Dem Chair of the Budget Committee, Sally Hamwee, said “Research undertaken by my committee shows that many of the poorer Londoners are not using Oystercards because they cannot afford the original £3 deposit needed for the card and do not have bank cards to top them up. These rises are hitting the capital’s least well off rather than penalizing the high earners”.
January 6, 2007